A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

I've been contemplating my perfect guitar and I know it does not exist, but it is easy to picture. So I might consider a custom build, knowing that it would take the #1 spot from my favorite Jazzmaster. Most important is how it sounds, and I already have a Les Paul that tells me my choices are right for sound. Second most important is how it plays, and I know two of my Pauls play better than any of my others, so I'm good there. I need great action and great tone out of this thing or it cannot be #1. The rest is cosmetic, of course. So I want to know what builders could deliver on the playability and not impact the tone while delivering on this:

Lefty Les Paul shape, not weight relieved
Mahogany body, thick maple cap
Mahogany neck, 50's somewhat thick C, with a volute
Dark ebony fret board
More interesting fret inlays (split trapezoid or birds or ?)
No pick guard
Gold top like an R6/R7
Natural back, possibly stained but not painted
Stop tail and TOM
Dual P90s - A2 neck, A3 bridge
Gibson headstock shape with split diamond inlay and possibly "nosbiG" in Gibson font.
Possibly exposed maple cap instead of binding

Anyone know builders who would deliver on all that? I would be sorely disappointed with commissioning a wall hanger. Thanks!

I'm pretty sure [mention]tonebender[/mention] has had these guys make a couple for him. I doubt that he would go back for the second if the first was a disappointment:

http://www.alchemyguitarwerks.com/store ... ducts.html

Well, basically, I would advise against any lefty going for a custom built anything from a small builder.
It is a different thing going to someone like Martin for a custom lefty, if you know what I mean.
Based on Tonebender's experience they do great work, but do they do great work on lefty's?????
THAT is the risk you are taking. Just my 2 cents...

mickey wrote: ↑Sat Jul 11, 2020 6:00 pm Well, basically, I would advise against any lefty going for a custom built anything from a small builder.
It is a different thing going to someone like Martin for a custom lefty, if you know what I mean.
Based on Tonebender's experience they do great work, but do they do great work on lefty's?????
THAT is the risk you are taking. Just my 2 cents...

I had actually spoken to the owner a few years back about a possible Rickenbacker replica and asked the same thing. He assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. I think they he might have said that they'd had lefty projects in the past but I can't really remember...

tobijohn wrote: ↑Sat Jul 11, 2020 6:48 pm
I had actually spoken to the owner a few years back about a possible Rickenbacker replica and asked the same thing. He assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. I think they he might have said that they'd had lefty projects in the past but I can't really remember...

I think I would want to talk to some of his previous lefty customers before putting my money on the table.
NOT saying there is anything fishy about the guy or anything.
It is just that luthiers accustomed to building lefty's are few & far between.

That and it would help if the lefty customer could speak clearly about any special differences preferences over a mirror image righty.

just had a thought maybe Heritage? I do hear good things about their stock leftys.

fatjack wrote: ↑Sat Jul 11, 2020 7:25 pm just had a thought maybe Heritage? I do hear good things about their stock leftys.

Heritage is apt to be your best bet for a built to order LP clone.

Heritage makes a damn nice guitar.

I keep thinking I might sell mine, then I play it and take it down again.